Letters - September 25

PROD is so thankful for the financial support we continuously receive from the Hood River community. Lisa Willis, owner of Gorge Dog, has been terrific in creating opportunities to raise money for our organization, as in the recent Dog Wash held at the Saturday Market with support from Lisa Conway, Market Manager and Pat Combs from Dinah’s Dog House. These gals, along with volunteers, did a doggone good job in making it a fun day for all participants. Last Tuesday Lori Stirn, District Director of the Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District, along with her devoted crew launched the second annual Doggie Paddle. Over 65 people attended and about 80 1/2 dogs had a marvelous splash! The very good news was that there were no altercations (dog or people) beyond an occasional Grrrrr!

Cleo Sterling

Underwood

Truth in war?

When President George Bush Sr. committed U.S. troops to the Persian Gulf war in 1991, it is now known that he relied on “top secret satellite images” purportedly showing 250,000 Iraqi troops and 1,500 tanks massed at the Saudi Arabian border.

The Florida St. Petersberg Times, however, later came in possession of two commercial satellite photos of the same border terrain showing no Iraqi troops or tanks at the time claimed.

This information appeared recently on the front page of the Christian Science Monitor (“In War, Some Facts Less Factual,” Sept. 6, 2002), one of the most respected national dailies, known for its excellence of reporting and reliable sources.

The Monitor article goes on to raise the question of how far we can trust claimed government intelligence reports, the details of which are shared neither with the public nor with the appropriate intelligence comittees of Congress. When pressed to reveal the sources of his inside information confirming that Saddam Hussein possesses weapons of mass destruction, Bush Jr. as to date has produced no verifiable evidence of acceptable detail. His National Security Advisor, Condoleeza Rice, admits that the Administration has as yet no “smoking gun.”

If we go to war with Iraq, Congress and the American people will insist on a convincing and examinable show of evidence to justify the action. Like his father, Bush Jr. may be sorely tempted to produce compromised documentation, either “enhanced” installation photos or inaccurate intelligence reports.

Neither the Monitor or the St. Petersberg Times directly accused Bush Sr. of deliberately falsifying information. They did, however, raise a warning that a President’s political agenda can skew his judgement regarding which intelligence information to embrace and to then present as justification for a military action.

With the fall congressional elections less than two months away, and with obvious political advantage to be gained by producing a dramatic “smoking gun” as justification for a pre-emptive attack on Iraq, we might be well advised to remember how the elder Bush produced a misleading smoking gun to commit our nation to an earlier war with Iraq.

Recently I received what I consider a negative hit piece from supporters of Bob Montgomery. I must say that I am very disappointed in Bob’s campaign to go negative against an opponent who has demonstrated so far that he will be taking the high ground of staying positive. I have a very hard time supporting any type of mudslinging and would ask Mr. Montgomery to ask that any more ads become positive. I realize that the ad came from a support group, but candidates do have control and contact with their supporters. Oregon’s history of clean campaigns must stay and this ad erodes my confidence in candidate Montgomery.

Candidates who resort to mudslinging by using grainy pictures, half-truths and innuendo will not get my vote. I ask you, the public, to let Mr. Montgomery know how disappointed you are as well in allowing such material to be sent to voters. Let’s call him and say an emphatic NO to mudslinging and negative campaigning.

C. Anne Wilson

Hood River

No more no-grow

“Buy Local” is the cry from the downtown merchants, but how many bought their cars locally?

Hood River is fast becoming a retirement mecca and our older population may not be able or inclined to travel to Portland for items found today only at Wal-Mart.

With a growing population, Hood River can use more competition for groceries, and other products that a larger Wal-Mart will carry. The number of people that Wal-Mart brings to town should be considered a positive factor in the decision to allow Wal-Mart to build.

If a town doesn’t attract growth-oriented companies such as Wal-Mart, it will be forever wanting to grow, but not being able to because of its no-growth reputation.

Hood River is not the same town it was ten years ago. I, for one, think that the growth has been good for the entire area. Let Wal-Mart build its super store and let the population enjoy its benefits.

Janis Gaylord

Hood River

Turns to Troutdale

I am writing in support of the Wal-Mart Super Center that has been proposed to the citizens of Hood River and surrounding areas.

Throughout the 70 years that I have lived here, I have seen this town turn down every money-making opportunity that has come our way. Opposing new ventures such as this keeps jobs out of the county. I have not shopped downtown for years. In fact, I drive to Troutdale to do most of my shopping.